David Vuich of Alexandria, VA, born in 1935 in Midland, PA, to parents who immigrated in 1912 from Okuchani, Slavonia, in present-day Croatia, passed away, following a lengthy illness, at Mount Vernon Hospital in Alexandria, VA, on Friday, February 28, 2025.

He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Cerritos College and California State University and has completed his graduate studies at the University of Southern California, receiving a Master in Business and Industrial Sciences.

A distinguished aerospace engineer, he began his career at North American Aviation before joining NASA's Apollo program. As a project coordinator, Vuich played a crucial role in liaising between spacecraft manufacturers and NASA, significantly contributing to the mission’s success. His work positioned him among the pioneers of space exploration, and he developed a close friendship with astronaut Neil Armstrong. He was part of the team that enabled the historic Apollo 11 mission, which led to the first human step on the Moon on July 20, 1969.

Beyond his contributions to aerospace engineering, Vuich was a prominent figure in defense, security, energy, and transportation. He served as an adviser to high-ranking officials in both the Legislative and Executive branches of the US Government, spanning from the Carter to the Bush administrations. Additionally, he worked as a professional staff member on the House Appropriations Subcommittee for Defense and Military Construction.

Vuich was widely recognized as one of the “Serbo 7,” a group of Serbian scientists who played a vital role in developing the Apollo Space Program. The team also included Milojko “Mike” Vucelic (Director, Systems Engineering), Danilo Bojic (Engineer, Stress Analysis), Paul Duich (Engineer, Data Analysis), Milos Surbatovich (Mechanical Engineer, Docking Systems), Peter Galovich (Engineer, Systems Design), and Slavoljub “Sam” Vuich (Engineer, Electronics Systems RDT&E).

Throughout his life, David Vuich remained deeply connected to his Serbian heritage, emphasizing his Orthodox Christian faith and Serbian cultural roots. beginning at his home parish, St. George Serbian Orthodox Church in Midland, PA, where he served as an altar boy. He was a dedicated lifelong member of the Serbian Orthodox Church, and was actively involved in the St. Luke Serbian Orthodox Church of Washington, DC, alongside his wife, Ginger.

After retiring, Vuich dedicated himself to humanitarian efforts, leading initiatives that provided aid to those in need in Serbia. He maintained strong ties with his ancestral homeland, making several visits, including a notable one in 2019 when he delivered a lecture at the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts (SANU) during the 50th anniversary celebration of the Apollo 11 Moon landing.

In recognition of his scientific achievements and his role in strengthening ties between the United States and Serbia, Vuich received one of Serbia’s highest honors, the Order of the Star of Karageorge, First Class. His legacy extends beyond space exploration, as he was actively involved in numerous charitable and cultural organizations, including the National Press Club, 'We Will Survive Cancer', Summer Opera Theatre, Opera Cameratta of DC, as well as the Tesla Science Foundation and the US-Serbia Business Council.

David Vuich's contributions to aerospace, science, and Serbian-American relations have solidified his place in history as a pioneering engineer and a dedicated advocate of his heritage.

Memory Eternal!